Method and apparatus for feeding blanks to package sliced product



Aug. 30, 1966 BONAMI 3,269,0&2

E A. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BLANKS TO PACKAGE SLICED PRODUCT Filed April 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ti: EENE 5 T A- BUNAM/ ATTORNEY.

Aug. 30, 1966 E. A. BONAMI 2 9 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BLANKS TO PACKAGE SLICED PRODUCT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filgd April 15, 1963 INVEN TOR. ZED/V557 A BEA/AM A TTUHNE Aug. 30, 1966 E. A. BONAMI METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDIN G BLANKS TO PACKAGE SLIGED PRODUCT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 15, 1963 W m .A

MN 6% W WAMJ%,LA Ta Aug. 30, 1966 E. A. BDNAMI 3,2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BLANKS TO PACKAGE SLICED PRODUCT Filed April 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fr -5 u 4 INVENTOR.

ERNE 5 T A- BOA/4M] BY /Zz ATTQQZEY.

E. A. BONAMI PPARAT Aug. 30, 1966 3,269,932 METHOD AND A us FOR FEEDING BLANKS TO PACKAGE SLICED PRODUCT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 15, 1963 m R V INVENTOR ERNEST A-BZ7NAM1 United States Patent 3,269,082 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BLANKS TO PACKAGE SLICED PRODUCT Ernest A. Bonami, La Grange, 11]., 'assignor to Swift & Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 273,123 11 Claims. (CI. 53-35) The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for positioning supporting members to receive units of product, and is more specifically directed to such a method and apparatus for positioning supporting members, such as divider cards to receive sliced food product, such as bacon.

While fiat or foldable cards of paper or stiff cardboard use usually preferred as supporting members for product such as bacon, it is intended that the present invention will apply to other types of supporting members, such as plastic and foil sheets and trays, for a wide range of products, including most sliced food products, and the terms should be so construed.

Various types of slicing and shingling equipment are in use today. One type of such a machine for the production of sliced bacon is illustrated and described in United States Patent No. 2,898,722, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Many of such devices, as illustrated by the one to which reference has been made, incorporate apparatus for dividing the shingled slices into groups on a conveyor.

Additional machines have been devised to automatically direct such shingled groups from a conveyor onto divider cards positioned to receive them and thence remove the bacon and card for further packaging steps such as sealing, wrapping, boxing or the like. Examples of the latter machines are shown in United States Patent Nos. 2,907,152 and 3,051,581, the disclosures of which are also included herein by reference. Briefly, those machines provide two vertical card magazines, at either side of the bacon conveyor path, and card withdrawing elements associated with each magazine. Additionally, a horizontally reciprocable transfer member is provided to receive cards sequentially from the withdrawing members and move the same into the path of the bacon where the card is held by a further, stationary, member until a group of bacon arrived thereat. At the latter instant, a takeoff conveyor is moved to engage the bottom of the card and remove same as it received the group of bacon slices.

While the prior apparatus, and methods performed thereby, have proved to be of great utility, several disadvantages have become apparent. Vertical magazines, particularly when fully loaded, exert high drag on the items to be removed therefrom. Consequently it is difficult to withdraw cards, and sometimes a card cannot be withdrawn or is pulled askew therefrom. Additionally, the magazines of the prior apparatus have accommodated only one side of the card or the like, and where a change in card size has been necessitated (for instance where the amount or dimensions of material to be placed on the card is changed) an exchange of magazines has been required. Finally, prior apparatus have required a high number of movable parts for handling the cards with resultant relatively high initial and maintenance costs. For example, a plurality of vacuum grippers on each of the withdrawing, transfer, and stationary members are required in the prior apparatus. Also, due to the nature of the vacuum gripping apparatus, it has previously happened that a card was not in place in time to receive product thereon. Additionally, the removal of card and product from the receiving position has required complex moving parts and has involved ditiicult timing problems.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention 3,269,082 Patented August 30, 1966 ice to provide an improved method and apparatus for positioning sup-porting members to receive units of product moving along a given path.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for positioning supporting members to receive product wherein the drag on such supporting members is reduced.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for positioning supporting members for receiving product wherein the withdrawal of such supporting members from magazines and placement for receiving product is more certain and of increased efiiciency.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved method in apparatus for positioning and loading a supporting member with product wherein the loaded supporting member is removed from the receiving position in a more simplified manner.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for positioning a supporting member to receive product which is adaptable to a wide variety of types and sizes of product supporting members.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved appaartus for positioning supporting members to receive product wherein the number of parts required in such apparatus is reduced and simplified.

Fundamentally, the present method involves the moving of spaced units of product along a given path in a given direction and sequentially positioning supporting members to receive such units of product at a point in the path. Preferably, the supporting members are first removed, individually, from groups of such members arranged at a slight angle to the horizontal with the major surfaces of such members arranged vertically. Each supporting member is removed from such a positioned group in a direction at the angle to the horizontal and then turned so that the surfaces thereof are disposed horizontally; and thereafter transported to a position just below the path of the units of product whereon such product will fall. Subsequently, the arrival of product upon the supporting members causes the latter .to be removed in the given direction, and the next supporting member is transported to the product receiving position.

A preferred apparatus for carrying out the above method is associated with a pair of substantially aligned infeed and outfeed conveying means wherein the infeed means terminates slightly above an end of the o-utfeed means. At least one supply means, but preferably two supply means, for the supporting members is positioned at a slight angle to the horizontal at a level above and to the side of the outfeed conveyor. At least one, but preferably two means, reciprocable at about the aforementioned angle toward and away from the magazine means is located on a further member disposed to be reciprocable transversely beneath the infeed means between positions whereat the gripping means is alternately aligned, respectively, with the supply means and outfeed conveyor. Additional means is provided to pivot the gripping means between horizontal and nearly vertical attitudes.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with two magazines for holding foldable card type supporting members;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 with certain parts removed;

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevation of a further embodiment of the apparatus for flat divider type cards;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic portion of the operating and control circuit for the apparatus of FIGURES l3; and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical portion of the operating and control circuit.

The method of the present invention was devised for use with .the production of units of product in separated units. For example, in the production of sliced bacon, the usual slicing procedure and equipment produces units or groups of shingled slices which are spaced along a conveyor leading from the slicing equipment. In the present method such spaced units of product are moved continuously along a path in a given direction toward a terminal point slightly above a second conveying means which may also be operated continuously. Supporting members, such as cards, are sequentially positioned below the terminal point to receive successive units of product. In positioning the supporting members, they are held slightly above and behind the level of the econd or outfeed conveying means, although the forward edge of the member may actually rest on the conveyor. Arrival of the product upon the member causes sufficient frictional contact with the second conveyor to cause the supporting member to be carried forward away from below the terminal point as the product falls from the latter.

The supporting members are sequentially positioned at the aforementioned point in the path of the product by first withdrawing an individual member from groups of such held within magazines; thereafter turning the member to a horizontal attitude, and then moving the horizontally held member to the aforementioned position in the path of the product. Preferably, the supporting members are Withdrawn by contacting with vacuum grippers, in which case the vacuum is disconnected upon reaching the receiving position.

It is preferred that each individual supporting member be withdrawn from one or more groups of such members wherein the groups are held at a slight angle to the horizontal with the major surfaces of the support members disposed in a nearly vertical plane. In this way, the entire weight of the group of members does not press against the next forwardmo-st member to be removed. Thus less drag is imparted on the supporting members within a magazine and their removal is facilitated. Where the supporting members are so held, each leading member is withdrawn from a group in a direction at the aforementioned angle to the horizontal, and then turned so as to position the major surface in a horizontal plane. Thereafter the supporting member is transferred to the aforementioned position in the path of the units of product.

It is further preferred to withdraw successive supporting members alternately from each of two groups positioned to either side of the product path and facing generally opposite to the motion of the product. In this way one supporting member is withdrawn, turned horizontally, and moved into position as above described, whereat the next supporting member is withdrawn from a group at the opposite side of the path, turned horizontally, and held in readiness to be so positioned when the preceding card supporting member is loaded and carried away. Thus when a unit of product is deposited on the preceding member and moved away on the outfeed conveyor, the next supporting member is moved transversely of the path into position to receive the next succeeding unit of product.

Where the supporting member is a card of the foldable type, with a bottom portion and a connected cover portion to he bent across the top surface of product, it is first withdrawn from a magazine by gripping the bottom portion and the latter is then turned horizontally. While being withdrawn and then moved to the receiving position the cover portion is guided to be bent through an angle to be disposed above the bottom portion. Upon the card arriving at the product receiving position, the bot tom is supported slightly above the outfeed conveyor and the cover portion is restrained slightly against forward motion. Thereafter, at the time product beings to fall upon the card, the latter will contact the outfeed conveyor and the weight of the product deposited thereon is suflicient to cause the conveyor to carry the card and product forward, whereupon the folding of the cover is completed.

Where the supporting member is simply a fiat card and is not fol-dable, it is preferred to allow the forward edge of the card, when positioned, to rest lightly upon the outfeed conveyor. However, to prevent removal of the card prematurely, the card is blocked against forward motion until a unit of product is about to fall thereon. At that time the product is detected and the card released, whereupon the card will move forward at the instant that the product falls.

An embodiment of an apparatus, in combination with infeed and outfeed means, which will perform the foregoing method, specifically with foldable cards for packaging bacon, is illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings. A second embodiment of the apparatus adapted for use with flat divider card-type supporting members is illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Both embodiments utilize the preferred pneumatic and electric circuits illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The apparatus illustrated accurately positions supporting members generally it) to receive successive units of product such as shingled groups of bacon slices indicated at 11. The units of product are introduced upon an infeed conveyor generally 12 which comprises aiplurality of spaced ribbons trained about a pair of pulleys or the like of which only the terminal pulleys 14 are shown. The terminal pulleys 14 are spaced on a shaft positioned a short distance above one end of an outfeed conveyor generally 16. The latter conveyor similarly comprises a plurality of spaced ribbons trained about the pulley members of which one set of pulleys are shown. The infeed and outfeed conveyors may be operated either intermittently or continuously although continuous operation is preferred.

The above-mentioned ends of the infeed and outfeed conveyors are mounted above a frame generally 20 whereon supply means and withdrawing and positioning means for the supporting members such as the divider cards 10, are mounted.

It will be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 that a pair of supply means are preferred, each positioned to hold groups of dividers 10 at an angle of about 15 to the horizontal. The divider cards are held to preferably be exposed opposite to the product movement. Similarly a pair of withdrawing and positioning means are preferred, each acting to withdraw cards from one of the supply means. The supply means are stationary magazines indicated generally at 21 and 22 supported on U-shaped frames 23, 24 at the left and right sides, respectively, as seen in FIGURE 2. The respective withdrawing and positioning means are reciprocable members indicated generally at 25 and 26 in the same figure. The details of the elements comprising each of the respective magazines and reciprocating members are substantially identical with one another and will hereafter be identified by the same reference characters except for those elements which are best separately identified to described the operation of the apparatus. The structure of magazines 21, 22 'will subsequently be explained.

The reciprocable members 25, 26 are attached to a carriage member generally 29 which is mounted for reciprocal movement in a transverse guide 30 which is fastened to the frame 20. A suitable pneumatic means is connected to the carriage member 29 to reciprocate it transversely of the product path. The preferred form of such a pneumatic means is shown in phantom in FIGURE 2. This form includes a pneumatic cylinder 31, which is rigidly attached to the carriage 29, having an internal double-acting piston 32. Long piston rods 33, 34 extend from either side of the piston 32 and are attached at the opposite ends to the ends of the transverse guide 30. In operation the introduction of air under pressure to one side of the cylinder 31 will cause the carriage to move in that direction as the piston 32 remains stationary with respect to the frame 21.

The reciprocable members 25, 26 comprise two movable gripping means generally 37, 33 for extracting dividers 16 from the magazines 21, 22 respectively. Gripping means 37, 38 are spaced a distance from one another of approximately one-half the distance between the two magazines generally 21, 22. Thus when one gripping means 33 is holding a supporting member in position to receive product at the infeed conveyor 12, the opposite gripping means 37 will be held in position to withdraw a divider member from magazine 21.

Preferably each gripping means is in the form of pairs of vacuum cups 3?, 41 each pair being mounted on a separate crossbar 41 which is pivotally held in a clevis member 43, each of which in turn is attached to a piston rod 45. In the preferred embodiments illustrated, the piston rods 45 for the gripping means 37, 38, respectively extend from pneumatic cylinders 47, 48.

The pneumatic cylinders 47, 48 and their respective piston rods are positioned at an angle corresponding to that in which the magazines 21, 22 are secured. Each pneumatic cylinder 47, 48 is mounted on a separate flange 51 which in turn is secured to the carriage member 29. Also secured to each of the flanges 51, forward of the pneumatic cylinders 47, 48 is a small roller cam 53. These cams are in a position to be engaged by the ends of follower arms 55 which are attached to each of the separate crossbars 41 and extend downwardly between the sides of each clevis 43.

The respective clevises themselves contact the follower arms 55 to limit counterclockwise pivoting of the gripping means 3'7, 38. Thus it will be seen that when a piston rod 45 is extended the respective vacuum cups 39 or will be in a proper attitude to engage a supporting member 10 in the appropriate magazines 21 or 22. However, when the piston rod is fully withdrawn into the pneumatic cylinder 47 or 4-8, the respective follower arms will strike a roller cam 53 and turn the gripping means so that the vacuum cups are disposed upwardly holding the supporting member horizontally.

The magazines generally 21, 22 for supporting members 10 are of novel and advantageous construction in that they are adjustable to various dimensions and types of supporting members. As previously indicated, each magazine is supported on a U shaped frame 23, 24. The rear end of each frame is relatively higher and terminates in a journal bearing 57 and the lower end terminates in a similar bearing 58. A rotatable shaft 59 extends through the lower journal bearings 58 beneath the outfeed conveyor 12. This shaft extends fully between the two magazines and has a crank attached at one end. Additionally each magazine includes a separate second shaft 61 which is rotatably supported in the journal bearing 57 and held parallel to shaft 59. Each magazine 21, 22 includes a pair of side brackets 63, 64 supported between the shafts 59 and 61.

One side .bracket 64- of each pair comprising a magazine (to the right side of each magazine as seen in FIGURE 2) is secured to the machine frame so as to be stationary. Both shafts 59 and 61 are journaled for rotation in the stationary side brackets 64. The opposite side brackets 63 are however threadedly engaged with threaded portions on the shafts 5-9 and 6-1; and, additionally, each of the second shafts 61 are drivingly connected to the shaft 59 by suitable chains and sprockets 66. When the main shaft 59 is rotated by the crank 60 both of the second shafts 61 will be similarly rotated, and the threadedly supported side brackets 63 will be moved in accordance with the threaded portions of the shafts 59 and 61. Thus the side brackets 63 may be moved inwardly or outwardly with respect to the opposite stationary brackets 64 to vary the width of the magazines. By maintaining one side of each magazine stationary, it will always occur that one side of a supporting member 10 withdrawn from either magazine will be transported to the same position with respect to receiving units of product.

Supporting members such as cards 10 are held within the magazines 21, 22 upon pairs of side rails 69 secured to the side brackets, and are prevented from falling through the ends of the magazines by a plurality of nipples 70 extending inwardly from each of the side frames at the discharge end thereof. Air ripple jets 71 are secured on adjustable overhead crosspieces 72 at the center of the discharge end of each magazine 21, 22. The function of the ripple jets is to enable the forwardmost card 10 to be separated from a group in the magazine. Also fastened to the crosspieces 72 beneath the ripple jets 71 are spring biased knife edges 74 which rest against each exposed divider card in the magazines. These knife edges step between one card, as it is withdrawn, and the following card to retard the movement of the latter; and, along with the ripple jets 71, prevent more than one divider card from being removed from a magazine at the same time.

Also the groups are kept bunched together within each magazine 21, 22 by a telescopically adjustable follower rods 77 carrying weighted pads 78. The follower rods 77 are slidaibly mounted in substantially longitudinal slots 30 in each of the side brackets 63, 64. The telescoping construction of the follower rods 77 provides for automatic adjustment of the dimension of such rod upon movement of the threadedly mounted side brackets 63.

When a divider card 10 is withdrawn from a magazine by either gripping means 37, 38, turned horizontally, and transported transversely to a position in the product path, it is slid above a pair of stationary horizontal rods 83, 84 which are positioned to either side of the transverse path of the vacuum cups 39, 40 and at a level slightly above the upper run of the outfeed conveyor 16. When carried to the receiving position the respective vacuum cups 39, 40 are released, as subsequently will be described, and the supporting member tends to rest above the level of the outfeed conveyor 16 and is not removed thereby.

In actual practice, however, it will be found that some support members 10, particularly flat divide-r cards, will tend to tip or bend and rest on the ribbons of the outfeed conveyor 16. Accordingly, in the second embodiment of the apparatus, shown in FIGURE 3 (wherein like ele me-nts are identified by reference characters bearing prime exponents), special provision for handling flat divider cards is made. In that embodiment, a vertically reciprocal gate member 85, which interdigitates with the ribbons of the outfeed conveyor 16, is positioned just in advance of the forward edge of a divider card and blocks its movement away from the position to receive product. The gate member 85 is reciprocated by a solenoid 86, to which it is attached, upon a signal from a sensing switch 87 having a trip arm 88 disposed in the path of product at the terminal end of the infeed conveyor 12. The sensing switch '87 and solenoid '86 are simply connected in a series circuit with a source of power, not shown, so that the gate member 35 will be lowered only when the switch is tripped by product moving the trip arm 8 8- as it passes the end of conveyor 12. Additionally, a time delay device, not shown, may be incorporated in this circuit to delay lowering of the gate member for a slight interval allowing for the product to fall upon the awaiting card 10. Similarly such a time prevents the gate from again rising until the card and product have passed thereover.

The embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 for handling foldable type cards does not require the above-described gate and sensing switch. This apparatus includes curved guide wires 91 extending from below each magazine 21, 22 to above the outfeed conveyor 16. The purpose of the guide wires 91 is to engage the top portion of such foldable cards as they are withdrawn from the magazines, and to turn them through an angle above the horizontally held bottom portion while being moved transversely into position to receive product. Upon reacting that position, the card will have assumed the configuration shown in FIGURE 1. At the receiving position, the upper portion of the card will also be retarded from forward movement by a brace wire 93. The retarding effect of the latter, plus the raised position of the bottom of the card on horizontal rods 83, 84 is sufficient to prevent any empty card from being carried away by the outfeed conveyor 16. However, as soon as any product falls from the infeed conveyor 12 onto the foldable card, the weight thereof is suificient to increase the frictional drag of the card on the ribbons so that it will begin to move forwardly. As the conveyors 16 and 12 are operated at the same speed, the card and product will be removed as the product falls from the infeed conveyor, and folding of the top portion of the card will be completed by a longitudinal guide 94.

Each embodiment of the apparatus includes a card sensing means generally 95, the function of which is to determine when a card is absent from the receiving position so that the next card may be moved thereto. The preferred form of such a sensing means is a photoelectric device comprising a source of light 96 and a photoelectric cell 9'7. For best performance, the photoelectric cell is mounted above the conveyors and the source of light below, so that any debris falling therefrom has minimal effect on the transmitted light beam. The path of the light beam is established to be blocked when a card is in position to receive the product.

It is further preferred that the embodiments of this apparatus include an infeed conveyor which will align the incoming product with the position of supporting means It) to receive such product. As may be seen in FIG- URE 1, this may be accomplished by mounting the terminal end of the infeed conveyor 12 in a transversely movable subframe 100 which is shiftable by a power screw and electric motor generally 101. Detector means such as a source of light and photoelectric member 102, 103 respectively, are positioned across the path of the product to determine its position on the infeed conveyor ribbons, and control the power screw and motor 101 to move the subframe 100 so that the product will arrive in line with the positioned card. Details of such an infeed conveyor device are shown in my earlier Patent No. 3,051,581, the disclosure of which is included herein by reference.

Concerning the pneumatic circuit shown in FIGURE 4, the apparatus is powered from a suitable source of air under pressure, not shown, such as that usually found in industrial establishments. Preferably, dry air is introduced through a manifold 110 into three separate air lines 111, 112 and 113. Each of these air lines includes regulator and lubricator units shown at 114, 115, 116, respectively, which protect the valve and cylinder units. Air line 11]; leads to a bi-stable 4-way valve 117, which partially controls the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 31 for the carriage 29. Similarly, airlines 112 and 113 are connected to 4-way bi-stable valves 118 and 119, respectively, which control operation of the left hand pneumatic cylinder 47 and right hand pneumatic cylinder 48, respectively.

A bi-stable valve is one which is operated in two directions by two separate solenoids and will remain in a given position when the operating solenoids are de-energized. The three aforementioned bi-stable 4-way valves 117, 118 and 119 are controlled by separate pairs of solenoids which will be explained in connection with the electrical apparatus of FIGURE 5. It will be noted that 4-way valve 118 is connected directly to the rear and forward ends of pneumatic cylinder 47 by a pair of air lines 120 and 121 respectively. Similarly, 4-way valve 119 is connected by two air lines 122, 123 to the rear and forward ends of pneumatic cylinder 48.

The 4-way valve 117 however is connected by an air line 126 to a l-way air valve 127 mounted at the forward end of the left hand pneumatic cylinder 47. The oneway valve 127 is in turn connected by a further line 128 to the right end (as viewed in FIGURE 2) of the pneumatic cylinder 31, which is rigidly attached to the carriage 29. Similarly, the 4-way valve 117 is connected by a second air line 129 to a second one-way air valve 131 which is in turn connected by a further air line 131 to the left end of cylinder 31. When the air valve 11 is connected to direct air under pressure into line 126, one condition for moving the carriage 29 to the right (by introducing air through line 128 to the right side of cylinder 31 causing it to move to the right) is fulfilled. A second condition however must be fulfilled in that the gripping means 37, which is reciprocated by pneumatic cylinder 47, must be withdrawn. When the gripping means is withdrawn it strikes air valve 127 opening the connection between lines 126 and 15.8 to complete the pneumatic circuit to the right side of air cylinder 31. Similarly, when the 4-way valve 117 is moved to introduce air into pressure into line 129 the air valve 130 must be closed by the Withdrawn gripping means 38 before air can pass into air line 131 and to the left side of cylinder 31 to move the carriage 29 to the left.

It will also be seen in FIGURE 4 that the apparatus includes a vacuum pump 134 which is connected to a 4- way bi-stable vacuum valve 135. A pair of vacuum lines extend from the valve 135, one vacuum line 136 being connected to the pair of vacuum cups 39 on the left hand gripping means 37, and the other vacuum line 137 connected to the pair of vacuum cups 40 on the right hand gripping means 38. Each of the vacuum lines 136, 137 includes vacuum actuated switches 138 and 139 respectively. These electrical switches are normally closed, but are however, opened by vacuum when the respective suction cups 39, 41 are gripping a card or the like and air is not being drawn to the respective lines. The function of switches 138 and 139 will become clear in the course of the following description of the electrical circuit and operation of the apparatus.

The electrical circuit controlling the aforementioned bi-staole valves, may be followed in FIGURE 5 along with the sequenced operation of the apparatus. The electrical circuit illustrated is a toggling type circuit wherein a number of control relays and the solenoids for actuating the above-described bi-sta'ble valves are all connected in parallel to a source of electric power such as 110 volt alternating current. In the circuit diagram, the various relay solenoids are identified by reference nu-mbers and the relay switches actuated thereby are identified by that reference number coupled with a letter character. Similarly, the solenoids for operating the various bi-stable valves are identified by the reference numbers associated with the respective valves in connection with either the letter n or b to identify the end of the valve t-o which the solenoid is conne ted.

At the commencement of operation, with a card held by the gripping means 37, but no card in the receiving position, the light beam is established to photo cell 97 which controls two switches, 142 and 143, connected in series with relay coils 144 and 145, respectively. Switch 142 is open and switch 143 is closed in this condition. At the same time the carriage 29, being fully left, holds a trip switch closed. In this condition switch 15d completes a circuit to energize a series connected relay coil 147. The relay coil 147 actuates four relay switches shown at 147a, 147b, 147C, and 1476!.

Switch 147a is normally closed and is series connected with another relay coil 148 and a normally open trip switch 151 located at the full right limit of travel of the carriage 29. When coil 147 is energized, switch 147a is opened to disable the circuit to relay 148. Switch 147b is normally open and is closed upon coil 147 being energized, to provide a holding circuit for the latter about the trip switch 1511. (Switch 14% also is series connected with a relay coil 149 which will subsequently be explained.) Switch 147 is normally open, but closes upon energizing coil 147 being energized and thereby usually energizes a solenoid 117a of the 4-way valve 117, to throw the valve into position to direct air through line 126 to the air valve 127. Switch 147d is normally open and is connected in series with the relay coil 144 and photo cell relay switch 142. When coil 147 is energized, switch 1470. is closed and the coil 144 may then be energized by the closing of switch 142 (the latter however only occurs when the light to photo cell 97 is broken).

In the above-described condition, and Where gripping means 37 is withdrawn and holding air valve 127 open, pressurized air is directed through line 128 to the right side of the cylinder 31 and carriage 29 moves to the right. Where the light beam has not been broken, the holding circuit through switch 147!) maintains coil 147 energized, thus preserving the above-described electrical conditions.

Upon carriage 29 reaching the full right position, aligning gripping means 33 with the right magazine 22, the right trip switch 151 is closed energizing the series connected relay coil 146. (Relay coil 148, which is also series connected with the switch 151, will not be energized until coil 147 is deenergized, due to the switch 147a remaining open.) It will be noted that the coil 146 is also series connected with the normally closed vacuum switch 139 and relay switch 1470 which is closed at this time.

Relay 146 actuates three relay switches shown at 146a, 146b, and 146m Switch 1460 is normally open and is series connected with a solenoid 135b on the 4-way vacuum valve 135. When relay 146 is energized, switch 146a is closed, energizing solenoid 13% and moving valve 135 to connect vacuum to the vacuum cups on the right gripping means 38. Switch 1461), which is normally closed, and switch 146e, which is normally open, are series connected to solenoids 119a and 11%, respectively, which are connected to actuate the 4-way valve 119. When the coil 146 is energized, the conditions of switches 146b and 1460 are changed, closing switch 1460. This energizes solenoid 11% and causes valve 119 to direct pressurized air through line 122 to the rear of cylinder 48, thus extending the gripping means 38 toward the magazine 22. When vacuum cups 4t) engage a card, the vacuum in line 137 opens the vacuum switch 139, thus d e-energizing relay coil 146. The switches 146a, 14612, and 146crevert to their normal positions which cause switch 1460 to open and switch 146]) to reclose and energize solenoid 11911. This shifts valve 119 to direct air through line 123 to the forward end of cylinder 48 and withdraw the gripping means 38 with a card. Although switch 146a opens, the position of the 4-way vacuum valve does not change and vacuum remains at the cups 40.

When the gripping means 38- is withdrawn, it opens air valve 130 to connect the left end of cylinder 131 through air lines 129 and 131 to the 4-way air valve 117. In this condition, the carriage 29 is ready to shift back to the left side where the 4-way valve 117 is reset to direct air to line 129. The latter condition will be met however only when the preceding card has been removed from the product receiving position,

It will be recalled that when carriage 29 moved to the right, the gripping means 37 carried a card to the receiving position. Arrival of a card there breaks the light beam to the photo cell 97, closing switch 142 and opening switch 143. Since relay 147 remained energized through the holding circuit of switch 147b, switch 147d remained closed and completed a circuit to energize the relay coil 144. The latter closes two normally open relay switches 14411 and 1441;. Switch 144a provides a holding circuit to maintain the coil 144 energized when photo cell switch 142 is reopened; and switch 144b completes part of a series circuit with the relay coil 145. The latter will not become energized due to the photo cell switch 143 being open.

Relay coil 145, however, is connected to actuate a single, normally closed, switch a. Switch 145a is series connected with the entire bank of relay coils 146, 147, 148 and 149, as well as the solenoids 117a and 117k for the 4-way air valve 117. Thus, it may be followed that when the previously positioned card is removed on the outfeed conveyor 16, the light beam is reestablished to the photo cell 97, opening switch 142 and closing switch 143. The closing of switch 143 completes the circuit to relay coil 145 whereby the latter is energized to open switch 145a. This in turn de-energizes all of the relay coil electrically connected therewith, including relay 147. The latter in turn results in the opening of switch 147b, breaking the holding circuit to the coil 147, and also the opening of switch 147d. Thus, relay coil 144 is also deenergized and switch 144]) re-opened. The latter results in the reclosing of switch 145a. Thus, switch 145a is opened only momentarily but results in the clearing of all relay coils.

Upon the reclosing of switch 145a, while the carriage 29 is to the right, relay coil 147 will not re-energize and switch 147a will be closed. This energizes relay coil 148, since the right trip switch 151 is held closed by the carriage. Relay coil 148 is associated with circuits similar to that of relay 147. Relay 148 actuates four switches shown at 148a, 148b, 148a and 148d. Normally closed switch 148a opens to disable the relay 147. Switch 1481;, which is normally open, closes to provide a holding circuit for the coil 147 when trip switch 151 opens; and normally open switch 1480 closes to energize the solenoid 117!) on 4-way valve 117 resulting in the shifting of that valve and delivery of air thereby to the left side of cylinder 31. Thus the carriage 29 moves to the left opening switch 151.

Switch 148d provides a circuit parallel to switch 1474 to the relay coil 144. When the carriage 29 returns to the left side another card on gripping means 38 is moved into receiving position and the photo cell circuit again sets up through switch 148d.

Also upon reaching full left position, switch is again closed energizing relay 149. This results in switch 149a being closed to energize a solenoid 135a and connect vacuum to the cups 39 on the left gripping means 37 (and disconnecting vacuum to the cups 40 thereby releasing the positioned card). Similarly, switch 14% is opened and switch 14 96 is closed thereby energizing solenoid 118k and causing valve 118 to direct air to extend the gripping means 37 toward the magazine 21. When a card is contacted, the vacuum in line 136 opens the vacuum switch 138 to de-energize relay coil 149 and thus cause redirection of air in cylinder 47 to withdraw the gripping member 37. Consequently air valve 127 will be opened and the foregoing described cycle will repeat continuously.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the a pended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved method for positioning supporting members to receive units of product, said method comprising: spacing units of product on a first continuously moving conveyor means; maintaining a second continuously moving conveyor means spaced below an end of said first means; maintaining groups of supporting members at each side of said first and second means adjacent said end, said groups of supporting members disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal with the major surfaces of such members disposed substantially vertically; vacuum gripping the forwardmost supporting member alternately from said groups; withdrawing successively gripped members alternately from said groups in the direction of said angle; turning each withdrawn member so as to dis pose it substantially horizontally while continuing to maintain the vacuum grip thereon; transporting a horizontally turned member, while so gripped, in a direction transverse to the movement of said first means from one side to a point below the end thereof and just above said second means; releasing the vacuum grip on said member; depositing product from said first conveyor means onto said member to cause the latter to be carried away from said point on the second conveyor means; and thereafter transporting the succeeding supporting member to said point transversely from the side opposite said one side.

2. An improved apparatus for positioning supporting members to receive spaced units of product moving toward an end of an infeed conveyor, said apparatus comprising: supply means for supporting members located adjacent the end of the infeed conveyor, said supply means being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal and holding said supporting members with the major surfaces thereof disposed substantially vertically; withdrawing means for gripping and removing single supporting members from said supply means in the direction of said angle; means to turn said withdrawing means while gripping said supporting members to a horizontal attitude; reciprocable means connected to said withdrawing means to transfer said last named means, while continuing to grip said supporting member, transversely of the movement of said infeed conveyor to a point beneath said end of said infeed conveyor at which point said member is released; and removing means positioned beneath said point to direct said supporting member away when a unit of product falls thereon and displaces said member from said withdrawing means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a pair of supply means are provided, one supply means at each side of said infeed conveyor; and a pair of withdrawing means are spaced on said reciprocable means whereby when one of said pair of withdrawing means is in line with a supply means the other of said pair of withdrawing means will be positioned at said point.

4. An improved apparatus for positioning supporting members to receive spaced units of product moving toward an end of an infeed conveyor, said apparatus comprising: supply means for supporting members located adjacent the end of the infeed conveyor, said supply means being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal and holding said supporting members with the major surfaces thereof disposed substantially vertically; withdrawing means for moving from said supply means in the direction of said angle; gripping means for engaging single members attached to an end of said withdrawing means; means to turn said gripping means to a horizontal attitude while engaging a member when the withdrawing means moves from said supply means; reciprocable means connected to said withdrawing means to transfer said last named means and said gripping means, while still engaging a member, transversely of the movement of said infeed conveyor to a point beneath said end of said infeed conveyor; and an outfeed conveyor positioned beneath said point to carry said supporting member away when a unit of product falls thereon and displaces said member from said withdrawing means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 for use with flat divider cards wherein a blocking means is reciprocably mounted across said outfeed conveyor adjacent said point to prevent a card at said point from moving therefrom; and sensing means positioned above the end of said infeed conveyor to detect a unit of product and cause said blocking means to be reciprocated from across said outfeed conveyor.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a pair of supply means are provided, one supply means at each side of said outfeed conveyor adjacent said point; and a pair of withdrawing means and engaging means are spaced on said reciprocable means whereby when one of said pair of withdrawing means is in line with a supply means the other of said pair of withdrawing means will be positioned at said point.

7. In an apparatus for positioning cards to receive product such as groups of shingled bacon slices wherein the groups travel spaced on an infeed conveyor and are discharged to the cards at an end thereof above an outfeed conveyor, the improvement comprising: a pair of card magazines adjacent said end, one of said magazines being positioned at each side of said outfeed conveyor, said magazines being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal; a reciprocable carriage located to move transversely of the movement of said conveyors in front of the lower ends of said magazines; a pair of reciprocable members mounted on said carriage, said reciprocable mem bers being spaced on said carriage whereby when one reciprocable member is aligned with a magazine the other of said reciprocable members will be aligned with said outfeed conveyor and having reciprocable rods extendable toward said magazines at said angle; card engaging means pivotally secured to each of the rods of said reciprocable members; and cam means attached to said carriage to pivot each engaging means and a card carried thereon to horizontal attitude when the rods of said reciprocable members are withdrawn.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the engaging means includes vacuum cups for securing a card, and a source of vacuum connectible with said cups.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each magazine is adjustable in width for adaptation to cards of various sizes and shapes.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a pair of rods are positioned transverse to said conveyors at said outfeed conveyor to receive and support a card slightly above the level of the outfeed conveyor whereby it is necessary that at least part of the weight of the product acts on the card before it will be carried away by the outfeed conveyor.

11.. In an apparatus for positioning cards to receive product such as groups of shingled bacon slices wherein the groups travel spaced on an infeed conveyor and are discharged to the cards at an end thereof above an outfeed conveyor, the improvement comprising: a pair of card magazines adjacent said end, one of said magazines being positioned at each side of said outfeed conveyor, said magazines being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal, and each of said magazines comprising a pair of side frames one side frame being fixedly mounted and the other side frame being transversely movable; a rotatable shaft extending through each of the side frames of both magazines, said shaft being journaled in said fixedly mounted side frames and threadedly connected to the transversely movable side frames whereby rotation of the shaft will equally adjust the distance between each pair of said side frames, -a reciprocable carriage located to move transversely of the movement of said conveyors in front of the lower ends of said magazines; a pair of reciprocable members mounted on said carriage, said reciprocable mmebers being spaced on said carriage whereby when one reciprocable member is aligned with a magazine the other of said reciprocable members will be aligned with said outfeed conveyor and having reciprocable rods extendable toward said magazines at said angle; card engaging means pivotally secured to each of the rods of said reciprocable members; and cam means attached to said carriage to pivot each engaging means and a card carried thereon to a horizontal attitude when the rods of said reciprocable members are withdrawn.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,598,150 5/1952 Wethe et al. 271--14 3,013,796 12/1961 Currie et al. 271--9 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

P. H. POHL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR POSITIONING SUPPORTING MEMBERS TO RECEIVE UNITS OF PRODUCT, SAID METHOD COMPRISING: SPACING UNITS OF PRODUCT ON A FIRST CONTINUOUSLY MOVING CONVEYOR MEANS; MAINTAINING A SECOND CONTINUOUSLY MOVING CONVEYOR MEANS SPACED BELOW AN END OF SAID FIRST MEANS; MAINTAINING GROUPS OF SUPPORTING MEMBERS AT EACH SIDE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEANS ADJACENT SAID END, SAID GROUPS OF SUPPORTING MEMBERS DISPOSED AT A SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE HORIZONTAL WITH THE MAJOR SURFACES OF SUCH MEMBERS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY; VACUUM GRIPPING THE FORWARDMOST SUPPORTING MEMBER ALTERNATELY FROM SAID GROUPS; WITHDRAWING SUCCESSIVELY GRIPPED MEMBERS ALTERNATELY FROM SAID GROUPS IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID ANGLE; TURNING EACH WITHDRAWN MEMBER SO AS TO DISPOSE IT SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY WHILE CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN THE VACUUM GRIP THEREON; TRANSPORTING A HORIZONTALLY TURNED MEMBER, WHILE SO GRIPPED, IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEANS FROM ONE SIDE TO A POINT BELOW THE END THEREOF AND JUST ABOVE SAID SECOND MEANS; RELEASING THE VACUUM GRIP ON SAID MEMBER; DEPOSITING PRODUCT FROM SAID FIRST CONVEYOR MEANS ONTO SAID MEMBER TO CAUSE THE LATTER TO BE CARRIED AWAY FROM SAID POINT ON THE SECOND CONVEYOR, MEANS; AND THEREAFTER TRANSPORTING THE SUCCEEDING SUPPORTING MEMBER TO SAID POINT TRANSVERSELY FROM THE SIDE OPPOSITE SAID ONE SIDE. 